Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Eligible for Workers’ Comp

Life can be pretty repetitive at times.

Life can be pretty repetitive at times: you get up, you go to work, you come home, you relax, you go to bed…and then do it all over again the next day.

Although common, this repetitive lifestyle can be both mentally and physically draining. Lack of excitement can lead to depression; lack of physical change can lead to a sedentary lifestyle; over time, a routine can become deadening. Furthermore, for those who can’t escape repetition at work, doing the same activities day in and day out can potentially lead to physical injuries known as workplace musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).

Repetitive Actions Cause Repetitive Pain

Also known as known as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), repetitive trauma disorders, or repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), WMSDs are injuries caused by progressive damage to muscles, bones, and tendons. This damage is generally a result of repeated exertion, pressure, or movement over a long period of time. When a job requires you to repeat the same action over and over again for eight hours a day, five days a week, that motion can overwork muscles and tendons. When overworked, these delicate tissues can become inflamed and cause extreme pain—especially when forced to continue to repeat the offensive action. Little by little, the repeated strains progressively damage your body, much like athletes suffer progressive sports injuries.

Common WMSDs include:

Tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon—usually around a joint—that causes extreme pain and tenderness when not relaxed. It most often occurs in the knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, and elbows where fibrous tissue connects muscle to bone.

Bursitis. Surrounding your joints are small fluid-filled sacs called bursae that are meant to cushion the muscles to alleviate friction. Bursitis is the inflammation of those bursae. It can strike in several joints, but the shoulder and knee joints are the most common. When joints are overused, the friction causes these sacs to become irritated and tender.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). CTS is an arthritic condition caused by the compression of the median nerve—the nerve that surrounds the wrist and extends into the thumb and first three fingers—by inflamed tendons. This compression results in burning or prickling pain, decreased hand dexterity, and, in some cases, paralysis. Tendons in the carpal tunnel may swell and pinch the nerve.

If you believe that your workplace duties have put too much strain on your muscles and tendons, and may have caused a repetitive motion injury, contact us today to explore your workers’ compensation options. You may be entitled to paid time off, medical expenses, and special considerations. So, don’t wait another day to find relief. Call now and get the treatment and break you need to begin healing.